Torres suspension reduced

Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa is hit by Coyotes forward Raffi Torres during Game 3 of their NHL Western Conference quarterfinal series at the United Center in Chicago, Ill., April 17, 2012. (JIM YOUNG/Reuters)

QMI Agency

The NHL commissioner trimmed four games off the 25-game suspension the Phoenix Coyotes forward got for an illegal hit on Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa during the first round of the playoffs. Torres served 13 games during the post-season, leaving him with eight more games to sit once the 2012-13 season starts.

"This type of on-ice conduct cannot and will not be tolerated in the National Hockey League," Bettman said in a statement. "We have seen similar behaviour before from Mr. Torres and, particularly given the league's heightened scrutiny on hits to the head, I believe that a very significant penalty is warranted in this case. We hope and expect that the severity of this incident, and the league's response to it, will help prevent any similar incident from occurring in the future."

Bettman did not, however, explain why Torres' suspension was reduced.

The 25-game ban was handed down by NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan. Torres, a repeat offender in the eyes of the NHL, appealed the suspension soon after it was announced, saying in a statement that it was "excessive and arbitrary" and was twice as long as any other Shanahan had issued.